By Ben Ssebuguzi
While announcing new Health Centre IIIs for Mabere, Mbatya, Ndugutu and Buganikire in Bundibugyo during his campaign trail, President Yoweri Museveni underscored the importance of health care and prevention in achieving long, healthy lives.
I entirely agree and appreciate the President for his comprehensive health care strategy, which includes immunisation efforts that have increased the life expectancy of Ugandans from 48–50 years in the early 2000s to approximately 68 years in 2024/25.
This progress is attributed to better health care, reduced child and maternal deaths, and strong HIV and malaria interventions, among others.
One of the most significant prevention measures has been the universal distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets since 2010. A total of 27 million nets were distributed in 2020/21, and 28.2 million in 2023. This initiative has helped combat malaria among 46.8 million people.
These interventions have reduced malaria-related deaths, lowered outpatient visits, and reduced hospitalisation, all of which prevent households from sliding into poverty. They also ease financial burdens on families while helping the country move closer to universal health coverage by tackling preventable diseases.
A healthy population is more productive and contributes to increased production. Therefore, the President’s emphasis on prevention aligns with the “7 Bricks” in the NRM manifesto, especially the pillar on prosperity. I urge our technical teams to include public health care as a model for wealth creation. This is essential if we are to achieve comprehensive and holistic development goals.
Other malaria-prevention strategies undertaken by the NRM government include indoor residual spraying and continued sensitisation of the public on preventive measures.
In a special way, we thank President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM government for also initiating the rollout of the R21 malaria vaccine launched in April 2025 — the world’s largest rollout targeting 1.1 million children under the age of two, offered free of charge to Ugandans. This is a major step forward in the journey toward making Uganda malaria-free.
Long live General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and long live Hajjat Uzeiye Namyalo, SPA/PA and Manager of the Office of the National Chairman.
VOTE NRM to protect the gains.
The writer is the Head of Research, Office of the National Chairman.
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